Clothes hanger



R. 'ALBRIGHT CLOTHES HANGER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Oct. 3, 1961 Filed Feb. 12, 1959 INVENTQR. @lbf )L R. ALBRIGHT CLOTHES HANGER Oct. 3, 1961 2 Sheets-SheetV 2 Filed Feb. 12, 1959 INVENTOR. 62%@ @kB/ard United States Patent 3,002,662'l p CLOTHES HAlSlGrER`` Richard Albright,4318 S. Rockwell. Chicago, Ill'.

This invention relates toL clothes hangersuandl more particularly to Ihangers' for skirts; trousers, and the like, which include telescopingtubu-lar' elements each'y having skirt or trouser engaging means-at thefouteriendadapted to iit inside skirts at the waistband-L1 andfinside trouser legs at the cuff, therebysto hang tlieskirttortronsers.

It is a generalobject of4 theiinvention 4tofv provide new and improved hangers of the/type. described;

Amore specific object is to 1.*frmfide.- al noveh` assembly of elements providing a` newfandiimprovedhangerof the character mentioned of adiustable` lengthi to holdi skirts or trousers of various sizes, and*` havingta-:hanger hook which is adjustable to center the same lengthwise ofi` the hanger so that the body ofl the.hangerfissubstantially bal'- anced aboutthe hook.

Another object is toprovide a'newf-and-improvedr combination hanger includingV aashapedi` forrnfforA supporti for coats, jackets and the like and@ adjustable telescoping skirt or trouser hangingelernents;V

Other features and advantages ofi invention-will be apparent :from the following description taken` in'. connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustratinga preferred embodiment of the invention in :theorm` of a1 hanger for trousers or the like;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating anotherem'- bodiment of the hanger especiallyfadapted'L-for skirtsV or the like;

FIG. Sis an end elevational-viewloffthezhanger illus-- trated in FIG. 1, taken fromthe'rightendfas viewedrin FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an end elevationalviewto'i:` the hanger.A illustrated in FIG. 2 taken from the right end as viewed in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an exploded front elevational. view, partly broken away and in section, illustratingthe parts ofthe trouser hanger i-nunassembled condition;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary vertical sectionallviewl along the longitudinal axis ofthe trouserhanger, with..the telescoping tubular elements in .fully extendedpositionsg;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to ing tubular elements contractedrt-o a typicalipositionsfor hanging trousers;

FIG. 8` is a fragmentary `view. similarf to` FIGS;V 6` and 7, with the parts positioned asV they would'be'during assembly;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged transversesectional-view taken at about the lineV 9-9 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of a combination hanger Ifor jackets or the like and for vtrousers orthe like;

FIG. lil is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view taken at about the line 11--11 of FIG. l0; Y

FIG. l2 is an enlarged and elevationalview'ofthe trouser hanger, taken from the left end at about theline 12k- 12 Aof FIG. ll;

FIG. 13 isatransverse sectionalwiew taken at about the line 13-13 of FIG. ll; and

FIG. 14 is a right end elevationalviewofthe trouser hanger, takenat about the line 14-,-14-of\FlG.i ll.4

Referringtnow tothe drawings infa general. waypinla lpreferred. embodiment: as t illustrated in FIGS.y t 1-9,1 for hanging either skirts or trousers, the hanger includes a pair of telescoping tubular memberseaclu carrying at its outer end one or more serratedfi ory toothed@ gripper FIG. 6, with the'telescopt 3,002,662 Patented oet. V3, 1961 t 2; members for engagingE the inner bandof a piece of olothing. Preferably, the t'elescopingV tubular elements are spring urged toward extended positions so that when the toothed gripper me `bers are properly inserted in. the waist bandof asskirt oriinthe lower, cui ends of trouser legs-atlthel creases, the skirt or trousers will be tightly gripped and strongly held` to hangfrom the grippers in the fashion illustrated inl FIGS. 1 andV 2. The tubular telescoping elementscarry` aL hanger hook which is slidable longitudinally of the hanger to'A enable a centering of the hook and a substantial balancing of the hanger and'clothing thereon Iabcmtfthe hook. As will appear, a principal advantage of the presentv invention resides in the manner of'tassemblingthe hanger hook with the telescoping tubular elements. Assembly; is facilitated by the novel construction-andarrangement of hanger parts which are retained in assembledl condition solely by the parts themselves -andiwithoutl the needffor independent securing or holding means such as bolts, screws, welding and the like.

Referring now; to the drawings, in more detail, a trouser hanger 10=illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3 and 5-9 includes a pair of telescoping tubular members 11 and 12 eachv carrying at its outer endi-atrouserv engaging element as `at'13f-an'd I4. Thetrouserengagingelements 13 and 14 aresimila'r in alli respectsexeept thaty one is secured tothe inner or smaller tubulanelement" 11 While the other issecured `to the outer' or largertubular element 12. In a preferred lforni, each comprises astrip ofmetal bent intoaninvertedfU-shape, asse'en best in FIG; 3, and inoludes a transverse central portion 15 and depending leg portions I6. The elements 11i-and 14 are suitably secured respectively tol the tubular. element-s as by in sorting-the transverse central` portion 15l in a slot in the end of the tubular elementsI as-illustrated at 17 inFIG. 3, ari-ter which the tubular elementl and the trouserengaging element are Welded togetheras at 18 or otherwise suitably joined. The depending leg portions 16. are for-med at the outwardly'tacingedgeswwith teeth or serrationsl as illustrated atf20 jtolbiteior'dig softly but firmly into the trouser legs-atthe `cuffstoinsuregthat :the trousers T will be securely held when hung.

As best seen in FIGS. SaS, thetelescoping elements 11 and '12hare urged apart towarda fully extended position by acoiled spring Z7. whichisiitted in theV larger, outer tubular elementliZ. The inner end of the spring 22 bears againstthe` innerend of thetubular'elementlll as at23 land the outer end of the spring bears against the'trans- Iverse central portion 15 of tbe trouser engaging element 14; By virtue of this arrangement, the telescoping tubular elements are adjustableover a wide range to iit trouser legs' of various dimensions, yet over the entire range the trouser engaging elements 13 and 14are yieldable to permit contraction'` of` the telescorping` elements for insertion into the trouser leg^ after which-the trouser engaging `elements are tigthly held-in the trouser legs to support the trouser.

In order tosupportahanger hook: such as that illustrated at' 25, a cylindrical plug-like member 26 is slidable in the smaller tubular element11, and includes a centrally located transversely extending aperture as at 27 which opens at the lower side of `the member 26 `to an enlargedpocket or recess 2.8,' the` .purposevof which will appear presently.`

Asi best seen in FIG.- 5', the hanger 'hook 25 includes an open, hook-shaped-portion 30 of a. conventional natureadapted'tot overrabar or `rodsueh Aas those usually found in* clothes closets,r.and.V a lower; substantially straight shank '31 terminating at its lower `end 'inl an enlarged headi32.`

As'- will. be .understood on f viewing FIGS;-` 649;; the shank :311 receivabletimthe aperture: 27V in.T theflplug member 26, and the head y32; at the end of the shank is receivable in the recess 28 in the plug 26. In this fashion, the shank is effectively retained in the plug member 26 and the plug, with the shank, is slidable longitudinally in the inner tubular element 11.

Each'of the tubular elements 11 and 12 is formed near its inner end with a longitudinally extending slot through the top thereof as at 35. When the hanger is assembled, the slots 35-overlie each other, at least for a portion oct their lengths, and the axis of the aperture 27 in the plug 26 is aligned with the slots 35 so that the shank 31 of the hook extends upwardly from the plug 36 through the slots 35 as illustrated in FIGS. 6-9.

The tubular elements are slidable relative to the hook, and are normally urged outwardly to a fully extended position illustrated in FIG. 6 `wherein the closures at the outer ends of slots 35 engage opposite sides of the shank 31 to prevent the tubular elements coming apart. From the extended position of FIG. 6, the tubular elements may be closed toward -a position such as that illustrated in FIG. 7 enabling insertion and retention of the hanger in trouser legs. In the position illustrated in FIG.,7, it will be understood that the plug 26 and the hook 31 are movable longitudinally of the assembly to position the hook centrally of the hanger length thereby to balance the hanger and the trousers about the hook.

In order to facilitate assembly of the hanger elements, each of the tubular elements 1.1 and 12 includes an aperture therethrough as at 37 diametrically opposite the slot 35, and the aperture has a sufcient size to pass the entire length of the hook including the hook-shaped portion 30, the shank 31 and the head 32. Thus, when the tubular elements 11 and 12 are positioned to align the apertures 37 as illustrated in FIG. 8, and the plug 26 is positioned to align the aperture 27 with the apertures 37 as seen in FIG. 8, the hook 25 may be inserted, end 25a iirst, through the apertures 37, the aperture 27 and the slots 35, and moved to a position where the head 32 passes through the apertures 37 and into the tubular element 1l as seen in FIGS. 6 and 7. While the aperture 27 in the plug 26 is suliiciently large to pass the hook and shank portions 30 and 31, it will not pass the head 32 of the shank, yand accordingly the hook will be retained in position with the head 32 seated in the recess `28.

It will be appreciated that the construction illustrated a pair of telescoping tubular members 58 and 59 are slidable, and urged apart to extended positions by means of a coil spring 60 tted in the larger tubular element 58 and bearing at opposite ends against the tubular element 59 as at 62' and the tubular element 58 as at 63. Each of the tubular elements is provided -at its outer end with a trouser engaging element as illustrated at 65 and 66.

The trouser engaging elements 65 `and 66 Iare similar in construction, one being attached to the tubular element 58 and the other to the tubular element 59. Each comprises a central tubular mounting portion 67, lbest seen in FIGS. 12 and 14, depending neck portions 68, laterally extending central. portions 69 and vdepending leg portions 70. In the case of the trouser engaging element 65, the tubular mounting portion 67 is inserted inside the larger tubular element 58 (FIG. l2), and the two are suitably held together as by a pressit or by welding ,if desired so that the trouser engaging element is rmly joined to the tubular element. The depending neck portions 68 'of the trouser engaging element 67 pass through a suitable slot 72 in the bottom of the tubular element 58. In the case of the trouser engaging element 66, the tubular mounting portion 67 is fitted on the smaller tubular element 59 and the two are suitablyl joined together as by a press fit or welding so that the trouser engaging element vis iirmly secured to the tubular element. As in the construction previously described, the depending leg portions of the trouser engaging elements are each preferably formed with teeth or serrations 7'4 at the outer edge to securely grip the trouser legs.

Although the hanger of FIGS. 10-14 is shown as a trouser hanger for purpose of illustration, it'will be ap- 3 preciated that .it may ibe Iutilized as a skirt hanger or facilitates assembly of the hanger parts and retention of these parts in a' similar condition without the need for independent securing or retaining means.`

In the embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 4, the hanger 40 is especially adapted for hanging a skirt as illustrated in broken lines at S yand may be identical in all respects with the hanger previously described, except that the telescoping tubular elements 11a and 12a include skirt engaging elements y41 and 42 which differ from the trouser engaging elements 1-3- and 14 of FIG. l in that the former each comprises a single depending strip of metal or the like inserted in a slot as at 43 after which the skirt engaging element may be suitably secured to the tubular element as by welding illustrated at 44. As in the case of the trouser engaging elements, the skirt engaging elements are each preferably formed at the outer edge with serrations or teeth as at 45 to iirmly grip the waistband of a skirt or the like.

A combination hanger generally designated in FIGS- 10-14 includes a shaped form or support 51 which will be recognized as a conventional type for hanging a coat or jacket. The support and laterally and downwardly extending side portions 53. In the top of the central portion 52, Ia hook 54 is suitably secured `for suspending the hanger -from a rod or the like.

In order to hang trousers, skirts and the like (trousers T' as illustrated) a transverse rod 56 has opposite ends secured in the side portions 53 asat 57.. On therod 53,

51 includes a central portion 52 provided with a single leg 70 at each end 'for use only with skirts.

While I haveV shown and described certain embodiments of my invention, it is to lbe understood that it is cap-able of many modifications. Changes, therefore, in the construction land arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A hanger, comprising, a pair of tubular telescoping elements, leach having gripper means thereon at the outer end for engaging the inner band of a piece of clothing, means for retaining the tubular elements in expanded positions with said gripper means engaging the inner band -of a piece of clothing thereby to hang the clothing, a hanger -hook having an upper hook-shaped portion and a lower shank portion with an. enlarged head at the lower end thereof, an inner plug element slidable in the inner tubular element for carrying the hanger hook, each tubular element having a longitudinally extending slot through the top thereof for passing the hanger hook and an aperture through the bottom thereof opposite the slot therein and of a size to pass said head, said inner plug element having an aperture therethrough of a size to pass the hook except the head and having a recess for housing said head, whereby the slots and apertures in the tubular elements are alignable with the aperture in the plug element to enable insertion of the hook, hook-shaped portion first, through the tubular element apertures, the plug element aperture and the tubular element slots to engage said head in said recess.

2. A hanger as deiin'ed in claim l, wherein said gripper means comprises a vertically disposed member on the outer end of outer edge to engage the waistband of a skirt or the like.

3. A hanger as dened in claim l, wherein said gripper means comprises -a pair of parallel verticflly disposed members on the outer end of each tubular element each having teeth at the outer edge to engage trouser legs at the cuffs.

4. A hanger comprising, a pair of tubular telescoping elemeptaeachhavng gripper, meansthereon at the outer each tubular element having teeth at the end for engaging the inner band of a piece of clothing, a coiled spring in the larger tubular element having opposite ends respectively acting -against the tubular elements to urge the same toward expanded positions and maintain the gripper means tightly in engagement with 5 the inner band of a piece of clothing thereby to hang the recess. clothing, a hanger hook having an upper hook shaped portion and a lower shank portion with an enlarged head at the lower end thereof, a cylindrical plug slidable in the inner tubular element for carrying the hanger hook, 10 1 247 551 each tubular element having a closed longitudinally ex- 2017761 tending slot through the top thereof for passing the hanger 2429712 hook and an aperture through the bottom thereof dia- 2454908 metrically opposite the slot therein and of a size to pass 2562368 said head, said plug having a transverse aperture there- 15 2615604 through of a size to pass the hook except the head and 2717108 having la recess at the lower end of the aperture for hous- -th the aperture in the plug References Cited in the nle of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Lendle Nov. 20, 1917 Leonard Oct. 15, 1935 Fetter Oct. 28, 1947 Buxton Nov. 30, 1948 Robison et al July 31, 1951 Leonard Oct. 28, 1952 Schaerer Sept. 6, 1955 

